Bulletin column - Dec. 23, 2010

City eyes pay hikes

Facing an expected pay hike for members of a newly-formed Colfax police guild, Colfax city council members Monday night discussed the possibility of increasing the pay for other employees on the city payroll. Councilman Jeremiah Roberts suggested the city budget, which was approved at the previous council session, could have room to provide a pay hike.

Members of the five-member police guild have been negotiating with city officials for a pay increase for the coming year. City Administrator Carl Thompson said in an earlier interview an actual contract has not been signed, but the 2011 city budget allows for a four percent increase in wage costs to cover an anticipated hike. The preliminary agreement calls for the officers to receive any back pay from the start of the year once a contract is signed.

Officer Bryce Nebe, who has headed the guild’s negotiations, said they have proposed a three-year contract with a four percent hike each year. He said the guild’s position is based on pay paid to officers in towns of similar sizes.

An allowance for any pay hikes for the 16 other city employees was not included in the budget, although some employees will qualify for pay increases through normal step increments. City pay levels have remained the same for the last two years.

Roberts Monday suggested the city could find funds to cover a pay hike in the 1.5 percent range because payroll expenses are expected to dip through turnover with new employees added at the bottom of the pay scale.

City Treasurer Mark Clinton said a 1.5 percent pay hike would average about $60 a month for other employees. He said in the past, the city has applied the pay rate increase to an employee in the middle of the pay chart and applied that dollar amount to all employees. That means the actual percent of pay hike is smaller for those on top of the scale.

City Attorney Bruce Ensley advised the council could not provide retroactive pay to employees without a contract agreement.

Colfax 2010 budget grows

Total amount of the 2010 Colfax budget amendment, approved by the city council Monday night, was $148,021. The amendment puts the city’s overall 2010 budget at $3,063,162.

The increase included $53,052 in the general fund which incurred unplanned expenses related to Fire Chief Ralph Walter’s firing and re-hiring, unanticipated expenses for repairs and other projects.

One of the final unanticipated budget additions included a $22,067 bill from Harrison Electric for upgrading lighting in city buildings. Councilmen J.W. Roberts and David Nails voted against approving the bill Monday because they had previously objected to the bid process. Roberts contended the city had received an bid for the project which would have cost the city $4,000 less.

About a fourth of the costs of the retrofit will be reimbursed by Avista under its energy savings plan.

Court lifts no-contact ban

A no-contact order between Pamela Rogers and Michael Schaub, Jr., who were convicted at the start of the year in a case that involved taking items from unoccupied WSU student residences at Pullman, was removed Friday in superior court. Rogers and Schaub were arrested after Pullman police conducted a warrant search and found computers, wide screen televisions and other items which had been taken from student homes. They were also charged with possession of methamphetamine.

Rogers, 38, and Schaub, 39, embraced Friday morning after Judge David Frazier lifted the ban. Both Rogers and Schaub have completed in-patient treatment under a court-ordered drug offender sentencing option and continue to be under community custody supervision. Lifting the no-contact order was recommended by counselors.

Shortly after they began treatment at American Behavioral Health Systems in the Spokane Valley, Schaub and Rogers were charged with violating the no contact order by passing notes. That led to the re-location of Schaub.

Judge Frazier said he had some reservations about lifting the ban because he was concerned any setback by one of the two defendants could evolve into a setback for the other.

Grandmothers’ gate policy

Colfax Thrifty Grandmothers have installed a gate across the open back section of their shop, but they don’t want it to discourage residents from donating items for re-sale in the shop. The gate, which was donated by John Pearson, was installed to limit access to the open back of the shop. Also, the club has had on ongoing problem with residents leaving items in the alley behind the shop which cannot be sold.

The back gate will be open during shop operating hours and also during times when club members are working in the shop. The shop operates Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, but club members normally work in the shop on Mondays and Wednesdays. They plan to post a sign when members are present to accept donations.

Residents can also arrange to make donations by calling Alene Brown or Bonnie Smith.

Toybox tally at 211

The firemen’s toybox closed out its scheduled three days of operation Friday with 108 boys and 103 girls listed on vouchers submitted by families who were qualified to shop at the store. The toybox has many gifts still in stock, and families in need can call the fire department’s business number to arrange for a visit to select toys from the remaining inventory.

Another Estes meth arrest

Monte D. Estes, 53, who was arrested last February when officers said they located an active methamphetamine lab at his place on Farmington Road, was booked into the county jail last Thursday on new methamphetamine charges after a warrant search of his residence.

Sheriff Brett Myers said the warrant was served by deputies and officers from the Whitman County SWAT team. He said they found components of an active meth lab in the residence along with methamphetamine and paraphernalia associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Estes, who was among the first suspects arrested in the Oakesdale area last February in connection with drug use and property thefts, still faces charges from the February arrest. He had been scheduled in court Friday for a hearing but that was postponed until Jan. 7.

Noting yesterday’s arrest led him to believe Estes had violated conditions of pre-trial release, Judge David Frazier Friday morning revoked Estes release on the pending charges and ordered him held in jail. A decision on bail for the new arrest was delayed until formal charges, if any, are filed.

According to the arrest report, an informant tipped deputies off that Estes was taking anhydrous ammonia from a farmer and using it to produce meth at his house with the use of a coffee grinder, pseudo ephedrine and battery components. The report alleges a syringe with meth was found in the house.

The report said officers were conducting the search last Thursday when Estes arrived. He turned around and drove down the Farmington Road until he was stopped and arrested.

Estes last Feb. 26 pled not guilty to charges of manufacturing and possession of methamphetamine and possession of stolen property. He was initially scheduled for trial May 17 but the date was moved back while plea negotiations were underway. Estes had been scheduled for a jury trial Monday, but at a Dec. 3 hearing the date was scratched and Friday’s hearing was scheduled.

Sheriff Myers’ report noted that the Washington State Patrol meth lab team dismantled the lab at the residence after the first arrest.

Bridge railing out

City crews Thursday installed a temporary fence on the bridge which crosses Spring Flat Creek flood control channel at the intersection of Mill Street and Highway 195. One of the bridge guardrail supports was knocked loose during snow removal operations on the bridge. The bridge rail, which was held by one of the two support poles, is now suspended over the channel.

Meltdown of the snow pile next to the damaged bridge rail this week exposed the hazard, and crews installed a temporary fence.